Simian Mobile Disco - Tong Zi Dan

Simian Mobile Disco - Tong Zi Dan
If you've been following James Ford and James Shaw since they founded Delicacies, you'd know they've been dimming their blinding bright lights to moodier levels. After collaborating with Bicep for the lovely-but-inconsequential Sacrifice, they return on their own with "Tong Zi Dan," another lengthy track that continues their streak of cruise control jams. The peaceful feeling doesn't last long, however: the phased whirls come to a head with Sandwell District-style echoed woodblocks and a fist-pumping chord progression. But even when the snares hint at boiling over, the duo bring it back to a careful simmer, which could be frustrating if you're pining for release. Fachwerk boss Mike Dehnert steps in for a short remix that, surprisingly, doesn't go all that much harder; the final two minutes break out into a sprint, but it feels lightweight, like it's made out of aluminium rather than steel.

Two additional tracks accompany "Tong Zi Dan" on the digital release. "Escamoles" is essentially piano house, but laid out in the same leisurely style, with electric keys and organ vamping over sprightly percussion. "Smalahove" has even more shades of boilerplate deep house with its swelling synths and jaunty bump. Neither are terribly interesting, and it's easy to see why they'd end up as bonus tracks.